September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 100 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about September 22nd, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about September 22nd in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- National White Chocolate Day
- National Doodle Day
- Dear Diary Day
- World Car-Free Day
- American Business Women’s Day
- National Ice cream Cone Day
- Hobbit Day
- National Elephant Appreciation Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – September 22
1980: Iran-Iraq War begins with Iraq invading Iran
It is thought to be one of the 20th century’s deadliest and longest conventional war. It ended 7 years later with no decisive victory and massive losses, both in terms of human lives and in terms of economy to both sides.
1979: The American-run Vela satellite detects a series of bright flashes over the Indian Ocean
The flashes were thought to be associated with atmospheric nuclear explosions. Some experts theorized that they were caused by joint Israeli and South African nuclear exercises. The governments of both countries denied this and to date it hasn’t been confirmed whether the flashes were indeed nuclear explosions, and who was responsible for them.
1975: Assassination attempt on US President Gerald Ford is foiled
FBI informant Sara Jane Moore’s attempt to assassinate the president in San Francisco failed due to a faulty gun and the efforts of ex-FBI agent Oliver Sipple who tackled her.
1960: Mali Federation becomes Mali
In August 1960, Senegal opted out of the Mali Federation allowing the federation to take on the name of Mali.
1869: Richard Wagner’s opera Das Rheingold or The Rhine Gold is heard for the first time
The first of 4 musical works of art that constitute Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen, Das Rheingold was played at the National Theatre in Munich. The other three music dramas are Die Walküre or The Valkyrie, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung or Twilight of the Gods.
1939: Soviet and Nazi German officers, before the parade in the city of Brest-Litovsk, Poland. September 22nd 1939

Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, September 22
1964: Liam Fox, Scottish politician
1958: Andrea Bocelli, Italian tenor, songwriter, producer
1902: Ruhollah Khomeini, Iranian religious leader, politician, 1st Supreme Leader of Iran
1791: Michael Faraday, English scientist
1515: Anne of Cleves
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, September 22
2015: Yogi Berra, American baseball player, manager
2007: Marcel Marceau, French mime, actor
1989: Irving Berlin, American composer
1961: Marion Davies, American actress
1828: Shaka, Zulu leader